S.R.Claridge writes Mystery and Romantic Suspense novels. Her work has been said to have the energy of Dan Brown, the mystery of Mary Higgins Clark and the humor of Janet Evanovich. Claridge novels will take you to the edge of your seat, keep you guessing until the very end and ultimately warm your heart. It is on the pages of every S.R.Claridge novel that Mystery and Sensual Suspense collide.

For more information on bookings, interviews and upcoming releases, please visit the author website and Facebook fan page.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Mystery We Write Tour: M.M.Gornell


Who IS Madeline (M.M.) Gornell ?

 

Madeline (M.M.) Gornell has four published mystery novels—PSWA awarding winning Uncle Si’s Secret (2008); Death of a Perfect Man (2009); Eric Hoffer Fiction finalist and Honorary Mention winner, the da Vinci Eye finalist, and Montaigne Medalist finalist Reticence of Ravens (2011); and PSWA award winner and Hollywood Book Festival Honorary Mention Lies of Convenience (2012). Both Reticence of Ravens and Lies of Convenience are Route 66 mysteries.



 

Madeline is also a potter with a fondness for stoneware and reduction firing. She lives with her husband and assorted canines in the Mojave Desert in a town on internationally revered Route 66.

 

Now... let's get personal and find out what makes Madeline (M.M.) Gornell tick:

Susan, so glad to meet you, and visit on your blog today! You’ve asked some very interesting questions. Several(about your favorite authors, books, characters) in particular caught my interest, I guess because I never grow weary of talking about my favorite author. I think that’s because whenever I’m feeling literarily-low(i.e. stuck) I go back and reread one of P.D. James’s Adam Dagliesh novels—and I’m immediately revitalized. I love visiting with Adam at one of P.D.’s wonderful British locations.

 

Why P.D and her protagonist Adam? He’s thoughtful, complicated, rather morose, and with a true heart. Through Adam (and other characters—she uses multiple POVs), not only does P.D. weave a marvelous story, but also draws her reader in using(believe it or not) compound and complex sentences, challenging words—some long (yes, she sends me to the dictionary occasionally), judiciously placed and sometimes lengthy descriptive passages—and most sentences are longer than eight words. Basically, writing that does not talk down, but inspires upward. Her writing style adds to the complexity of Adam’s character and the story lines she weaves. It is the type of exposition I would love to one day master, and the type of character I love meeting in my fiction reading. Yes, without out a doubt, P.D and Adam were, and continue to be my inspiration.

 

On good advice I’m received, NEVER, EVER give up. Then there’s a list I have on the wall behind me (so the words can mystically transfer from the paper to my brain!) Again, I’m quoting/paraphrasing/shortening P.D. James, “Increase your word power, read widely and with discrimination, WRITE, write what YOU need to write, and waste nothing that happens to you—however happy, however tragic...”

 

And to answer What is one of my favorite books? The Tragedy of Arthur, by Arthur Phillips is the best book I’ve read recently. Very creative, I thought.

 

Thanks so much, Susan, for offering me the opportunity to talk about writing. So much of what I’m blabbing about today, I’ve said before—even on other stops on this tour—but it’s so hard for me to resist the opportunity to talk about my favorite topic!

 





 

Contact and Buy Info from Madeline (M.M.) Gornell:


Madeline’s books are available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and Smashwords, in paper and e-book formats. You can visit her online at her website http://www.mmgornell.com , or her BLOG http://www.mmgornell.wordpress.com or email her directly at mmgornell@earthlink.net

 

Book Giveaway:

Buster, Dobie, and Mugs (the latest) are each drawing a name from comments for free copies of Lies of Convenience (or a M.M. Gornell title of your choosing)

 

Buy link for Lies of Convenience:

 

 

 

14 comments:

  1. Hi, Madeline. It's always fun to read anything you've written, makes me feel like we've had a short visit.

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  2. I love PD James quote about writing and never forgetting anything. Thanks for sharing it.
    Wendy
    W.S. Gager on Writing

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  3. Good morning, Susan, wonderful visiting you for the first time. And thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk about writing! And it's been so nice getting to know you on this tour.

    Madeline

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  4. Good morning Marilyn and Wendy! I love hearing from my PSWA friends so early in the morning (I know it's a little later for you Wendy, my Michigan friend). Glad you both enjoyed my post. Would either of you like some morning tea? (smile)

    Madeline

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  5. Besides being a fan of your writing, Madeline, I'm also intriqued about your pottery, Many years ago (back in art college, actually) I gave it a go and failed miserably. But that doesn't stop me from appreciating potters or their work. There's something about the texture of the fired clay, and colorful array of glazes. You're a true Renaissance woman!

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  6. Thank you, Anne, for the nice words. Until I got a book published, pottery was what I did most of time in my new Mojave-Life. Now, unfortunately, don't get much time to pot. I still love it though, and hope to get back in my studio in the Spring. And you're so right, there something about the texture. And for me, the feel of wet clay as it moves through my hands on the wheel, and kiln-surprises (in high-fire reduction never certain what the fire-gods will do)are akin to getting the first copy of a new book-wonderful!

    Madeline

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  7. Very inspiring, Madeline! As a fan of your work, I can safely say you've taken your own advice. Great post!
    Marja McGraw

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  8. Marja, thanks for taking the time to stop by. I sure appreciate your following along on our tour. Really warms my literary heart! (smile)

    Madeline

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  9. A great post, as usual Madeline. And good advice!

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  10. Thanks, Jean! It's been a fun day today. Sure enjoying the comments you're getting at my place!

    Madeline

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  11. Great comments, Madeline, as always. Keep up the good work and I'll let you sit in the front of the bus.

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  12. Thanks Earl! Moving to the front of the bus is now my new goal. Yahoo! Though, there are some interesting characters hanging out with me in the back seats...(smile)

    Thanks, Collin! The thing about advice, I think, is it's pretty easy to give--hard to follow!

    Madeline

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  13. Thanks, Susan, for a great day on the road!

    Madeline

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